Utility Magazine

The Utility November 2024 digital edition is out now and available to read online. In this issue, we share key insights from Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) Chair, Anna Collyer, and check in with South East Water as it embarks on the largest smart water meter rollout in Australia We also get the latest from Seqwater, EnergyAustralia, Sydney Water, Hydro Tasmania, Melbourne Water, MidCoast Council, Barwon Water and more! Read it all online here:

Compressed #air, #filtration and #power #generation are vital elements in the successful operation of essential #utility services, which is why it's critical that the equipment used is up to the task. Optimising power generation solutions isn’t just about delivering performance outcomes; it’s also about providing the right support to avoid downtime. CAPS Australia shared some tips for ensuring that you choose the right solution to keeping your operations running smoothly all year round.

Wingecarribee Shire Council has been crowned with the 2024 best-tasting #tapwater in New South Wales and the ACT. The council will now go on to battle it out against the best from other states for the Australian title later in November. The annual IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water competition is a fun and exciting way to raise awareness of the quality of drinking water in Australia, and to recognise the efforts of local #water service providers in delivering valuable #waterservices to their communities. Water Industry Operations Association of Australia (WIOA) CEO, Dean Barnett, said that the #competition celebrates the individuals and organisations that strive hard, some in very trying circumstances, to ensure their communities are supplied with safe #drinkingwater every day. “We want to draw people’s attention to the great work that is going on behind the scenes in their local communities to help shape and secure Australia’s water future,” Mr Barnett said. “Thanks to IXOM's unwavering commitment to the industry, we continue to be able to run the competition.” 

Barwon Water’s $10.1 million pipeline project has hit a key #milestone, with #Birregurra now connected to #Colac’s water system. The 19km underground #pipeline is now complete, including a new #watertreatment facility and storage tank to replace Birregurra’s ageing local plant, open supply channel and storage basins. Barwon Water General Manager of Planning, Delivery, and Environment, Seamus Butcher, said the initiative had multiple benefits for #customers and the #environment. “The Colac system is able to comfortably meet the demand in Birregurra, with scope to cater for future #growth and will be an important pillar in bushfire resilience and #watersecurity for the town.” 

South East Water has welcomed a new addition to its executive leadership team, with the appointment of Tim Lloyd as the organisation’s new General Manager Service Delivery. Mr Lloyd will commence the role from 11 November 2024, and is a seasoned senior operations leader with over 30 years’ experience in #utilities and essential #infrastructure service providers. South East Water Managing Director, Lara Olsen FTSE GAICD, said she's pleased to welcome Mr Lloyd to the team. “Tim’s extensive experience in utility operations and maintenance will help take us forward in delivering our #strategy for our #customers, #communities, people and #environment while innovating with purpose and acting with care."

As the #power #grid transitions towards a #future with higher levels of #inverter based resources – such as #solar and #wind – grid‑forming inverters (#GFMs) are poised to play a pivotal role in ensuring grid #stability and #reliability. In our November issue, Dr Yateendra Mishra from the Queensland University of Technology tackles the challenges that arise with the adoption of multiple GFMs. Dr Mishra also shares insights from an ongoing research project that to develop an efficient way of modelling GFMs, in collaboration with RACE for 2030, Powerlink Queensland, Curtin University and QUT (Queensland University of Technology).

#Steel #culvert #pipes are easy to transport an install, and their flexibility allows them to adapt to uneven ground – making them a favourable choice for #utility #sector. However, as with any #metal that is constantly exposed to #water, there is potential for #galvanisation and thus #corrosion. Instead of replacing failing #culverts, #slip #lining allows these #assets to restored, which, in turn, minimises costs and disruptions, and extends the life of the #structure. While a seemingly small component, the humble spacer plays a critical role in ensuring the success of these #rehabilitation projects, but how can #utilities ensure that they're opting for the right solution? To find the answers, we sought the expertise of kwik-ZIP Spacers and Centralisers General Manager, Paul Jeffreys, who shared some of the key criteria to look for in a #spacer, and how these clever #solutions can help increase the lifespan of a #pipeline.

While #fibre-#reinforced #polymer (#FRP) #composites have been used successfully for decades as a safe, cost-effective alternative to metals for making vessels, #tanks and #piping that store and transport #corrosive materials in a variety of industries, a long-standing barrier to more widespread use has been the lack of a proven #non-#destructive #testing (NDT) methodology for assessing the #fitness-#for-#service of FRP equipment. However, RPC Technologies Pty Ltd may have found a solution.

Comprising 30 #power #stations and 54 major #dams, Hydro Tasmania’s #network is one of the most complex #hydropower systems in the world and has underpinned the state’s strong #renewable #energy record. However, being an early pioneer in hydropower means that some of that #infrastructure is due for a much‑needed upgrade. Over the next decade, Hydro Tasmania will invest $1.6 billion to optimise and modernise its existing infrastructure. Come with us on a deep dive into this groundbreaking #capital #works program in the November issue of Utility!

Melbourne Water’s Hobsons Bay Main Upgrade Project has taken home the win for Infrastructure Project Innovation at the 2024 Australian Water Association Awards.  The project saw the #utility and its industry partner, John Holland, build a duplicate of the 1960s-era #Hobsons #Bay Main #Sewer, which handles 30 per cent of Melbourne’s #wastewater. The awards commended the project for its #sustainability, as it achieved #net #zero #emissions by using low-carbon #concrete, powering site facilities with #solar #energy and #carbon #offsets. Melbourne Water Senior Project Manager, James Le, said the team’s dedication to #engineering excellence, sustainability, and making a positive social impact has been pivotal in delivering this critical #infrastructure project. “I’m incredibly proud to work with such a talented and committed group whose innovation and collaboration have set new benchmarks for the industry,” he said “Congratulations to other award winners and finalists; seeing so many inventive programs and projects and meeting inspiring professionals from across our sector was exciting.”